Ian Thorpe on his coming out!

Land from down under is our number one destination when it comes to hot guys and beautiful vacation spots – and it’s no wonder considering that it gave the world (amidst other things) Ian Thorpe! Proud Olympian, one of the most successful swimmers in the history of sport, came out as gay a few years ago – but he recently spoke about his coming out experiences and fears.

“When I was about 16 I was accused of being gay and because it was in that tone, I always thought of it as a negative, of not being equal. It was frightening. I knew I should have come out earlier but I never thought that I could, I didn’t have the confidence to do it. When I did come out it was to close friends and then my family which was the most difficult for me.”

“I struggled to come out but I don’t struggle with being out, I come from a conservative family and my heart was racing. I had prepared for it and then I blurted it out and they quite simply told me that they would love me and always support me. It was overwhelming and I was so pleased I would be accepted by my own family. The way the country responded to me coming out was better than I could have hoped for. I was proud how the majority of people in Australia said ‘that’s great, no big deal’ and the nonchalant response is how it should be.”